Gear Review – Sawvivor Backpack Saw

Over the past few weeks I’ve been revamping my bug-out bag with new gear and getting rid of some old stuff. One of the things I’ve missed in my kit is a saw.

In the past I’ve used a Sven Saw and really liked it a lot. It folds down really thin and doesn’t take up much room in a pack, but it’s too long to fit in my current bag. Bummer!

Enter the Sawvivor Collapsible Saw. This little rig is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Using lightweight aluminum and weighing in at 9.5 oz it’s a smart little saw. I got the 15” version and it nestles in my current bug-out bag (in the picture) quite comfortably.

When I first held it I thought, “Uh 0h, it’s way too light.” But as soon as I opened it up and pulled the blade out of the body of the saw I knew I had a quality product. It’s tight and very easy to assemble – even easier than the Sven Saw I like so much. Below is a picture of it after I took it out of the package.

The blade stores in the body of the saw, but for some reason it’s listed like this:

Trail Blazer SSW-15 15-Inch Sawvivor Collapsible Saw – Saw only

I guess they’re advertising it like that so you don’t think there’s more than one blade, but it’s a little confusing at first.

The handles turn all the way around when you first open it and the saw blade connects to a couple of steel pegs on either side. Use the little red button to tighten the saw blade and there you have it. An effect little bush saw.

It’s a tad over 15” when open and it’s 6” in height giving the ability to cut a 5” log comfortably. The triangular Sven Saw didn’t have that luxury: at least not as easily as the Sawvivor Trail Saw.

The first thing I did was take it out to my camp and cut up a few eight foot logs for firewood – between four and six inches in diameter- and I’m happy to report it buzzed right through them. There were a couple of pine logs and one oak and it was no problem at all cutting them up. As a matter of fact, it being a new saw it was actually a pleasure!

I haven’t given up on the Sven Saw as I still think it’s a great saw, but now that I’ve tried the Sawvivor Trailblazer I know I’ll always have one in my pack or kicking around in the toolbox in my truck.

If you’re looking for a good light-weight, but durable saw, I’d definitely recommend this one.

If you’ve got experience with one of these saws or have a question sound off below!

Thanks for the review – it does look like a great piece of kit. Sawing is less noisy then chopping.

From what I can see in your photos, would be reasonable to guess that other blade other than the wide tooth shown could be used in this saw. Appropriate length metal cutting hacksaw blade ? Carbide grit covered ‘cord’ blade ? It appears that would be the case, but I’m just asking.

i bought the sven.
it reminded me of a larger type that we had in our scout troop equipment. (see “fieldbook”) the saw is best for cutting to length, the hand axe can’t be beaten for splitting small firewood. a pruning saw, like the “Gerber” that Leon mentioned is great for the “minimalist” . i like having a hacksaw, or two in my toolkit. (as j.r. alluded… )
i’d rather have a dedicated hacksaw frame, instead of trying to make a wood cutting saw do double duty. i also want a dedicated saw for cutting animal bones. still looking in to that.

Uncle, I got a meat processing SS hacksaw @ a local farmers union. It may be a Stanley. Not compact. About 24 inches. Around 25 bucks. Worked great on the chickens. Be using it soon on some lambs and a beefer, maybe a deer. Did find out it’s easier to use a sharp knife @ the joints through the tendons. Jarhead, this Sawvivor looks like just the ticket for wilderness camping. There are only two left at your amazon link. Hopefully they will restock by payday. Looks WAY better than the little finger pull saw I broke a couple weeks back. Is there room in the storage compartment for a spare blade (1 is like none…) Or other compact survival gear (dry firestarter or spare lighter)? Looks like it would roll up great in a tarp. Can’t wait to get back “out there”.

I’m a minimalist. I have to be since I’m getting long in the tooth and I don’t like carrying more weight into the bush than I have to. I’ve been using my folding Sierra saw for light duty bush cutting. Making lean-to’s and cutting fire wood is easy and quick. For more serious sawing the Sawvivor sounds like a good bet. Light weight and strength makes for an unbeatable tool.